Page 93 of Accidentally Amy

What was that? Did she know about the new reorg? I sent“No matter what happens??”

Izzy:I just mean that regardless of any other thing that happens in my life, in the world or in the universe, this weekend will be preserved in my heart as perfection.

Well, shit. I felt that in my stomach, in my heart, and in my mind, because it was exactly how I felt, too.

I love you.I wanted to say it, and not in the idioticI fucking love youway I’d already done when we first slept together. I was sure she’d chalked that one up to me being overjoyed to have her willing body in my bed, the equivalent of me saying,I love having sex with you.

No, I wanted to tell her a hundred times that even though it was too soon, I was in love with everything about her.

Maybe I’d tell her tomorrow, after everything went down. Yes, it was too soon, but I was starting to not care that nothing about us made sense.

I love you, Iz.It’s what I felt in my core, but instead I texted,I love your profundity, Iz.

Izzy:And I love hearing you acknowledge the word profundity. Goodnight, Mr. Chest.

I lay back on the pillow, looked out at the city lights, and texted,Goodnight to you, Scooter’s Amy.

Chapter Thirty-One

Blake

Izzy:Two things. Number 1—I miss gas station donuts and co-ed showers.

Same, I thought as I stepped out of my car and hit the lock button on the key fob. There was a chill in the early morning air, the subtle fall warning that winter was on its way, and for once I was glad I was wearing a suit jacket.

Izzy:Number 2—Hope your stressful day goes better than expected. I’m not prying, but I’m assuming it has to do with the merger and the resultant revised org chart. In which case I’m sorry for your discomfort, but also not sorry.

I put my keys in my pocket and texted,Nor am I.

I didn’t want to say much, but I also didn’t wantherworrying about the shit that was going to go down at Ellis; that wasmyproblem. I added,It’s a mess, but just know that I will NOT let work get in the way of us.

Izzy:US?

I pushed through the doors at Scooter’s, more determined than ever to find a way to make it work. I texted,US.

•••

“Are you kidding me right now?” Brad sat back in his chair, looking at me like I’d lost my mind as the sound of steaming milk suddenly seemed deafening. It’d been nice when I’d been discussing Izzy, providing a loud, foamy layer of privacy, but now it just added to the tension in my neck.

I asked, “Which part are you referring to specifically?”

“All of it—shit.” The older man smiled and gave his head a shake. “You moved in fast as hell after version one, didn’t you?”

“I know, I know,” I said, recalling the way I’d literally sprinted from the building when I thought I was safe to date Izzy. I reached up and tugged at my collar, which suddenly felt too tight. I hated sharing my personal life with anyone from work, but since I wasn’t willing to lie, it was the only way. I’d told Brad everything, and I just hoped Izzy would forgive me for not asking her first.

I considered Brad a friend; I knew I could count on his discretion, regardless of what the man’s business decision was on the matter.

Still, I was nervous. This was new territory for me.

Brad said, “You never talk about your personal life, so I’m assuming this must be important to you.”

I nodded. “It is.”

“Well, then,” Brad said, sitting back in his chair and crossing his arms. “I have good news and bad news.”

I clenched my teeth—gnashed them together, really—before saying, “What’s the bad news?”

Brad’s eyes narrowed as he looked at me and said, “The same as the good news. As you know, we’re eliminating some duplicate positions, post-merger.”

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